On May 28, 2015, the Canadian Institute of Planners announced the winners of the 2015 Awards and Recognition Programs and Beringia is on the list! (See the full list at www.cip-icu.ca)

Beringia and Pikangikum Health Authority have won the Award for Planning Excellence for Aboriginal Community Planning and Development for “Our Healing Journey: Pikangikum First Nation’s Comprehensive Community Health Plan”!

About the Health Plan: The Pikangikum First Nation (PFN) undertook the development of a Comprehensive Community Health Plan (CCHP) as a healing journey for their community. It was based on their Community Health Needs Assessment, which was in turn built on extensive community engagement, research and analysis. The CCHP is an innovative, accessible and “implementation ready” plan which translated the PFN’s needs, strengths, and vision into tangible actions.

The jury was impressed by this vital and compelling document. It integrates the community’s emotions, values, and thoughts, and plans for action through text as well as graphics. The engagement of community members through storytelling helped in the development of pride and ownership in the CCHP as it prepared itself for the plan’s implementation. As the CCHP’s consultant, Beringia Community Planning’s role was to facilitate the community’s healing journey.